By| Goodluck E.Adubazi,
Abuja
Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic and governance landscape convened in Abuja for a major policy dialogue focused on strengthening the country’s electoral process under the theme: “Elections and the Rule of Law: Strengthening Compliance in Electoral Processes in Nigeria.”
The one-day event brought together representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), security agencies, legal bodies, civil society organizations, and international partners to examine critical challenges and propose reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Organized as part of a research-driven initiative integrating legal practice with policy analysis, the dialogue aimed to address governance, regulatory, and institutional gaps affecting electoral integrity in Nigeria. Participants included officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigerian Bar Association, among others.
Civil society groups such as the YIAGA Africa, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), and the CLEEN Foundation, Africa Centre LSD, also participated, alongside lawmakers, academics, and election observers
The dialogue was structured around three thematic areas: election administration, internal party democracy, and electoral justice.
Discussions on election administration highlighted the need for operational efficiency, institutional preparedness, and strict compliance with electoral laws. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of leveraging technology—such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System—to enhance transparency, while acknowledging persistent infrastructure and cybersecurity risks.
On internal party democracy, participants raised concerns over candidate imposition, weak adherence to party constitutions, and the risks associated with consensus candidacy.
These issues, they noted, continue to undermine both candidate legitimacy and public trust in the electoral system.
Electoral justice formed the third pillar of discussion, with experts examining dispute resolution mechanisms, judicial delays, and the growing complexity of electoral litigation. Calls were made for strengthening judicial capacity and ensuring timely resolution of pre-election matters.
Participants agreed that compliance with legal frameworks remains central to electoral legitimacy, warning that inconsistent adherence erodes public confidence and democratic stability.
They stressed that credible elections depend on a coordinated interplay between administration, political actors, and judicial systems.
Concerns were also raised about increasing reliance on judicial intervention in determining electoral outcomes, as well as prolonged timelines in resolving disputes. Experts noted that recent amendments under the Electoral Act 2026 have shifted greater responsibility toward pre-election dispute resolution, reducing post-election litigation.
The dialogue further examined the role of technology in elections, noting that while innovations improve accountability, challenges such as technical failures and lack of contingency systems continue to threaten credibility.
Security was identified as a critical factor, with incidents of violence and voter intimidation cited as major deterrents to participation.
Participants welcomed provisions in the Electoral Act 2026 that reclassify candidate qualification disputes as pre-election matters, describing the move as a step toward clearer legal processes.
However, concerns were raised about the constitutionality of certain sections of the law, particularly those perceived to limit judicial review.
The dialogue concluded with a strong call for institutional reforms, enhanced stakeholder collaboration, and sustained public engagement to rebuild trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
As preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, participants emphasized that strengthening compliance, improving transparency, and ensuring accountability will be critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and long-term stability.
